Following the evidence-based analysis of gender in the regional response to the war in Ukraine published last year, the Regional Gender Task Force, the leading advocacy and information and coordination platform on gender in humanitarian action in Europe and Central Asia, has released a new gender brief on Ukrainian refugees’ livelihoods and access to work in neighbouring countries.

The brief is intended for use by decision-makers in humanitarian and development organizations, states, policymakers, and donors.

Based on secondary data review and interviews with key informants, the report found that most women refugees are underemployed. Refugees face substantial difficulties in having their professional qualifications recognized, which hinders their employability. Language remains a critical barrier and women increasingly bear the domestic care burden.

Refugees are uncertain about how long they will stay in the neighbouring countries, limiting their job options to temporary, often lower skilled and lower paid jobs. The lack of decent job prospects exacerbates the risk of gender-based violence, and among refugee women, Roma communities face additional discrimination. The report lists good practices and concludes with policy recommendations.